Dispensing carton for interfolded sheets



Dec. 9, 1941. F.- l.. BRoEREN DISPENSING CARTON FOR INTERFVOLDED SHEETS Fil'ed Dec. 16, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 9, 1941.' F. L. BRoEREN DISPENSING CARTON FOR INTERFOLDED SHEETS I 2 sheets-sheet 2 Filed Dec. 16, 1940 Patented Dec. 9, 1941 DISPENSING CARTON FOR INTERFOLDED SHEETS Frank L. Broeren, Neenah, Wis,. assignor to Marathon Paper Mills Company, Rothschild, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application December 16, 1940, Serial No. 370,414

(Cl. S12-62) 5 Claims.

This invention relates to a container for dispensing single sheets of material one at a time.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide a cardboard carton and package for a stack of interfolded sheets which will serve not only as the original package for shipment of the sheets contained therein, but also will function as a dispenser for the sheets as they are individually required for use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container having dispensing openings therein whereby the sheets may be withdrawn one at a time without disturbing the remaining sheets retained within the container.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing carton having dispensing slots in two opposite faces thereof to permit withdrawal of the sheets from either side of the carton and to permit the slots to be closed by integrally hinged closure flaps.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing carton having a slit or lines of Weakness provided along one of the walls thereof to permit insertion of spring actuated means for dividing the stack of interfolded sheets contained in the carton for urging each of the divided stack portions toward each of the dispensing openings in the carton.

A further object of the invention is to provide a dispensing carton having a pull ilapadapted to be grasped for opening the top of the carton.

Other further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following specification and the annexed drawings wherein like parts are designated by the same referencev characters throughout the several views.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the dispensing carton positioned in a holder for supporting same in dispensing position.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the blank for forming the carton.

Figure 3 is a fragmental perspective view of the partially assembled carton.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken on lines 4-4 of Figure 1 showing the spring of a carton holder inserted in the carton for urging the divided stack portions toward the respective dispensing openings.

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmental detail sectional view of the hinged extension panel.

Figure 6 is a perspective fragmental view of the carton showing the cover in opened position.

Referring more particularly Y to the drawings,

able sheet material such as cardboard and the like, suitably scored along the dotted lines 2, 3, 1, 8, 9, 20, 2I, 22, and 23, and slit along lines 60, 6I, and 62 to provide a front panel I0, a rear panel I2, top panel I3, bottom panel II, extension panels I8 and I9, and end aps I4, I5, I6, and I1. Closure flaps I5 and I1 are integrally connected and hinged respectively to the bottom panel II and the top panel I3. Extension panel I8 is hingedly connected along fold line 8 to the top panel I3 and hingedly connected thereto is the extension panel I9 along cut score line indicated by numeral 9. Front and rear panels I0 and I2 are provided with a longitudinally extending slit or line of weakening 6 extending the full Width of said panel and intersected at the ends thereof with transversely extending line of weakening or slits 33. A short distance from each of said slits 6, parallel spaced longitudinal score lines 4 and 5 are provided terminating at the end of the slits 33 thereby forming hinged flap closures 3| and 32 which are adapted to keep the dispensing opening closed when not in use, and the closure aps are also adapted to hinge outwardly for a purpose explained later. The bottom panel II is provided with a longitudinally cut slit 50 as indicated in Figure 2 of the drawings, or an equivalent series of perforations or line of weakening which permit the bottom to be readily rup- 30 'tured to form a slit.

trated in Figure 5 of the drawings. then folded into rectangular form, the closure flaps I5 and the overlapping end flaps I4 and I6 being folded over and adhered together while the `flap I1 is folded within the carton but remains unadhered to the other flaps, for a purpose to be explained later. The doubled back extension panels I8 and I9 are then folded over the front panel I0 and adhered by means of suitable adhesive to the overlapping portions of the front panel as illustrated in Figure 5 to provide a pull ap for opening the carton. The stack of interfolded sheets 49 may be placed within the carton before the blank is fully formed and sealed at any suitable stage during the production of the carton.

In use the carton is advantageously adapted to be placed in a special holder for retaining the carton in position as illustrated in Figure 4. This holder is provided with springs 65 and 66 held by rivets 63 on a vertical support 64 which is adapted the carton is formed from a single blank of suit- 55 to be inserted inside the carton through the slit The blank is 50 provided in the bottom panel Il. The lower ends El and 68 of the springs are free and unattached. Upon insertion of the springs within the carton the stack of interfolded sheets 49 within the carton is divided into two stack portions and each portion is independently urged forwardly by means of the yielding spring action toward the dispensing opening in the corresponding front and rear panels of the carton as illustrated in Figure e. The hinged closure flaps 3| and S2 adjacent the slits 6 in each face of the carton arev adapted to hinge outwardly to provide a dispensing opening for removal of individual sheets from the carton from either face thereof. In order that the carton may be firmly retained the holder is provided with brackets 1U for engaging the ends of the carton and also flanges 'l0 which are adapted to support the lower closure flaps 32 whereby when the sheets are Withdrawn, the extending portion of the foremost sheet remain-- ing within the carton is adapted to rest upon the outwardlybent flap 32 in convenient position for grasping when the sheet is desired to be- Withdrawn from the carton, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 4. As the sheets are withdrawn from the carton, the springs 65 and 66 will urge the remaining sheets within the stack forwardly toward the dispensing openings in the carton whereby the sheets will be continually urged forward until they have been entirely withdrawn from the carton.

In the event it is desired to open the carton without dispensing thek sheets one at a time from the dispensing opening, the glued extension panels I3 and I9 forming a pull flap are merely grasped and released or pulled away from the front panel lll whereby the carton can be conveniently opened as illustrated in Figure 6, and inasmuch as the flaps I1 are not glued to the other closure flaps of the carton, when the extension flaps I8 and i9 are released and pulled upwardly, the entire upper end of the carton will be fully opened whereby the whole stack of sheets can be bodily removed from the carton if desired.

If desired the carton can be conveniently utilized alone Without necessarily being retained in a special support and the sheets can be withdrawn from the dispensing openings from either the front or rear panel.

It will be apparent from the foregoing construction that a very simple and inexpensive and convenient dispensing carton is provided, well adapted for the purposes set forth. The carton serves originally as a package for interfolded sheets such as waxed paper, napkins, towels and the like and then is used by the purchaser as a convenient dispenser container which can be destroyed when the contents. are exhausted.v The hinged` flaps adjacent the dispensing openings when in normal position close to protect the interior of the carton,` while when they are hinged outwardly serve as guides facilitating removal and. support of the sheets from the carton.

The carton is preferably constructedV from rigid carton sheet material so that it is self-sustaining and will retain its rigidity when used alone or When placed on the supportingholder which can be placed on counters in stores, on tables and wherever else it may be desired to have the carton conveniently placed for. dispensing purposes.

The many advantages of this invention from the merchandising viewpoint are very great and obvious from the description of the invention. The dispensing carton is light in weight, clean andY sanitary,'neat in appearance and protects the contents from dirt and contamination. It can be conveniently printed With suitable trademarks or instructions. Furthermore, the cost of the carton for protection of the contents is comparatively small and serves a useful purpose in keeping the interfolded sheet together in convenient condition for shipment to the consumer as well as for dispensing purposes.

It is obvious that numerous modifications and changes may be made in the specific embodiments of the construction herein disclosed and that such modifications and changes are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

V1. A Vdispensing carton for a stack of interfolded sheets comprising a one-piece blank cut and scored to be foldable into a container of rectangular form in cross-section having a front and rear dispensing panel, a closed top and closed ends, and a bottom panel, said front and rear panels being provided with a dispensing opening extending longitudinally of said panels and said bottom panel being provided with a slit for receiving spring means for dividing the stack of sheets placed Within said container and for urging said divided stack portion toward each of said dispensing openings.

2. A dispensing carton for a stack of interfolded sheets comprising a one-piece blank cut and scored to be foldable into a 'container of rectangular form in cross-section having a front and rear dispensing panel, a closed topand closed ends, and a bottom panel, said front and rear panels being providedwith a dispensing opening extending longitudinally of said panels, a pair of hinged closure flaps adjacent each of said dispensing openings for closing same when not in use, and said bottom panel being provided with an opening for receiving spring means for dividing the stack of sheets placed within said container and for urging each divided stack portion toward each of said dispensing openings.

3.,y A dispensing carton for a stack of interfolded sheets comprising a one-piece blank cut and scored to. be foldable into a container of rectangular form in cross-section having a front and rear dispensing panel, a closed top and closed ends, and a bottom panel, said top having a hinged extension panel overlapping the adjacent front panel and adhered thereto for providing a pull flap, said front and rear panels being provided withV a dispensing opening extending longitudinally of said panels and said bottom panel being provided with a slit for receiving spring means for dividing the stack of sheets placed within said container and for urging each divided stack portion toward each of said dispensing openings.

4. A dispensing carton for a stack of-interfolded sheets comprising a one-piece blank cut and scored to be foldable into a container of rectangular form in cross-section having a front and rear dispensing panel, a closed top and closed ends, and a bottom panel, said top having a hinged extension panel folded back on itself and adhered to the overlapped portions of the adjacent front panel to provide a pull flap, said front and rear panels being provided with a dispensing opening extending longitudinally of said panels and said bottom panel being provided with a series of perforations for providing a slit for receiving spring means for dividing the stack of sheets placed within said container and for urgand adhered together and the closure aps integral with the top panel being folded Within the container in free unadhered condition, said front and rear panels being provided with a dispensing 5 opening extending longitudinally of said panels and said bottom panel being provided With a slit for receiving spring means for dividing the stack of sheets Within said container and for urging each divided stack portion toward each of said 10 dispensing openings.

FRANK L. BROEREN.

CERTIFCTE OF CORRECTION. PatentV No 2,265, 965 December 9, 19ML.

FRANK L BROEREN It is hereby certified that error appears in the printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction as follows: Page 2, seoond column, line 27 claim l, for "said" first occurrence, read --each-#f and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the oase in the Patent Office.

signed and Sealed this 27th day of. January, A. D. 19u21.

Henry Van Arsdale, (Seal) Acting; Commissioner of Patents. 

